The service sector is on a roll, with figures out today showing a healthy level of expansion.

BusinessNZ chief executive Phil O’Reilly says there has been strong growth especially in Auckland and Canterbury.

"We're seeing growth in orders, growth in stock and pleasingly of course a continued strength in employment intentions, which is helpful.

"So all of that suggests that we've got a real sweet spot for services in New Zealand at the moment."

O'Reilly says there has been strong growth in new orders and business activity.

"The fact that we're seeing growth in all parts of service in the sense of new orders, stock and employment intentions and so on all suggests that the service sector recovery and growth story now is a much more wide-ranging success story than simply saying it's about Christchurch and dairy."